The Neolithic age is when Opium was first consumed. You can see its influence in Homer’s Odyssey, “Into the bowl in which their wines were mixed, she slipped an opioid that had the power to robbing grief, anger, and banishing any painful memories.” Here are some fun Facts About Opium for you to explore!
Also, you can hear it in the lyrics of Pink Floyd and Guns N’ Roses. Although it was influential, it introduced society to the most serious issues, such as drug addiction. We present some facts about Opium to help you decide if it is worth using.
Here are some facts about opium addiction!!
Facts About Opium
1. Known As The Joy Plant
The Sumerians knew Opium as Hul Gil or the “joy plant.” It was then passed on from the Sumerians and Assyrians to Babylonians, who passed it on to the Egyptians.
Also, read 16 Interesting Facts About Methamphetamine Addiction
2. Simple Extraction
The source of Opium is Papaver somniferum, also known as the poppy plant. The unripe seed pod’s incisions are drained of the milky liquid. This is then dried and hand-scraped to make Opium.
3. Multiple uses
Poppy seeds can be used to make pastries or decorative items. Even the oil from the opium poppy seeds can be used to cook.
4. Opium Derivatives!
Many medications and drugs are made from opium poppy. These include Her*in, Morphine, Codeine, and Buprenorphine. Opiates and other synthetically produced drugs derived from the opium poppy are called opioids.
5. Street names!
Easing powder. Gee, Aunti Emma. God’s medicine. Black pill. Midnight oil. Toxy. Mira. Pin Gon. These are just a few of the street names that Opium is known by.
6. Physically and psychologically addicted!
Like all other opiate drugs, Opium can be addictive psychologically and physically. It works by binding to chemical receptors in the brain, replacing and suppressing all naturally occurring “feel good” chemicals. To experience the same effects, the user must take more of the drug to increase their tolerance. This can lead to addiction.
7. The Gateway Drug
Once addicted to Opium, Her*in or other opiates can be used to trigger the craving for the drug. Users would then switch to stronger drugs to feel the original euphoric high.
Also, read 15 Interesting Facts about Cocaine Addiction
8. Opium, the Father of Medicine!
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, dismissed the magical properties of Opium. However, he recognized its use as a narcotic, styptic, and treating internal diseases, women, and epidemics.
9. Are you feeling pain? Take Opium!
Opioids have proved to reduce chronic pain from moderate to severe levels. They reduce your perception of pain by decreasing the nerve system’s pain signals and calming your emotional response.
10. The Opium becomes a Villain!
In 1903, opioid addiction reached alarming levels. The United States Congress banned the recreational use of Opium in 1905. The 1st Federal Drug Prohibition was passed in the United States in 1909. It outlawed Opium imports.
11. Capital of Opium Production
Afghanistan is the top Opium producer country. According to some reports, as much as 90% of the world’s her*in comes from Afghanistan’s Opium.
12. Opium and Chinatowns
Thousands of Chinese immigrants flocked to America during the 1849 Gold Rush to work in the California gold fields and on the railroads. They also brought the habit of Opium smoking with them. These Chinese immigrants quickly established Opium dens to purchase, sell, and smoke Opium in so-called Chinese towns.
13. The Opium Wars!
Opium has been the subject of two wars: the First Opium War (1839-1842) and the Second Opium War (1856-1861), which involved Anglo-Chinese disputes about British trade with China and China’s sovereignty.
Also, read 15 + Unexplored Facts About Addiction
14. Celebrities’ Favorite Drug!
Janis Joplin was killed in an overdose of Her*in and cocaine in October 1970. Kurt Cobain (lead singer of Nirvana) died from her*in-related suicide in April 1994.
15. Born Addicts
Between 2000 and 2009, the proportion of babies born with withdrawal symptoms from opiates has more than tripled. One baby in every eight is affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome, which occurs when their mothers use opiates during pregnancy.
16. Stop being cold turkey!
Withdrawal symptoms can occur when an opiate user attempts to stop using Opium. In some cases, it can be like having the flu or goosebumps. It is also known as quitting “cold turkey.”
Also, read 6 Ways To Help Friend Fight Drug Addiction | Unknown Facts
17. A fatal substance!
An overdose can lead to death for opium users and the risk of addiction. A fatal overdose of Opium can cause respiratory failure and even death.